Dakash sighs, shying away from the woman in the odd goggles. His hand flicks around one last time, stopping the twirling of his staff and planting the end into the ground.
"There is no food yet. We have to wait. See, there?" He points at the booths barely setting up, food roasting on spits over newly-lit fires, or simmering in large stockpots.
As he points, the lean man pushes off of the building he was leaning against, walking toward the commotion in the square and taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.
It's okay, you fool. She just wanted directions. Never mind that she's pretty, or that she's treating you like a person. Breathe.
At the wagon, a voice, old and piecing, says Piertor, come here! Piertor starts, and hurries over to the wagon door, opening it.
Piertor flinches, and reaches into the wagon, taking a tray. Then he helps the old lady down the steps. This lady is quite old, and she smiles at the group. In a strong accent she says, greeting young ones. Please forgive Piertor, as he is somewhat simple minded at times. Please accept a treat as an apology. She gestures to the tray, upon which are sugared shortbreads.
I am Mother Dismass, from far Iobaria. I tell fortunes and seek knowledge of the world. would you like your fortune told?
Zeldana's pink cheeks took on a deeper shade when Alek complimented her as well. "I um... I mean, thank you." She muttered before Piertor was called away. When the woman came out and walked over Zeldana smiled bright, all embarrassment forgotten.
"So you do have a fortune teller! Oh wonderful! Madam, I am Zeldana and I am a harrower." Zeldana told the elder woman as she dug out her harrow deck. "I thought maybe I could speak with you about some things. Maybe learn something new?" She asked as she held out the deck to the woman.
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Nixis walks among those who enjoy themselves in the festival, rubbing her head. Uh... she looks around. Cale is there... Getting ready... And me? I'm slacking. I have much work to attend, and my studies are very important. Are they? Seriously I'm bored and need- wait... What?
Nixis shakes her head. Now I know I need rest...
Anjelica enjoys the cool drink after delivering her trays, and claps merrily for the jugglers, being careful not to spill any of her drink, of course. "Oh Cale, they're so good! And everyone is dressed so colorfully... it's going to be a marvelous Festival!" She was about to admonish him to 'stay close, and don't wander where I can't see you.' when she realizes she's talking like she would to a child... She sighs... "Well, it is," she adds in a less enthusiastic tone. "You should go collect your friend and bring her here... she might enjoy it."he nods, enjoying hanging out with his fiend but still staying close to the hotel probably a good idea yeah, stay there so I can find you again when I have her!"and then he runs off, fast on his long legs. When he sees her asking for directions he chuckles at Nixis, amused, of couse he wasn't going to admit that he just barely knew his own way around town and instead says "maybe we could go find Anji? She lives around here so she should know where everything is"
The old lady looks zeldanna up and down. And smiles.
A harrower? Never use a deck, for me it is a case of my own capabilities. I find props such as those restricting. Come daughter, let me see you.
She advances and looks at zeldanna, who feels she is being closely assessed. Zeldañna sees her eyes flash yellow for a second. She places a hand on her shoulder.
so. Well travelled are you, and seen much you have for your age. Hmm. A peaceful life you gave lived, mostly. That is going to change, I see. Suffering you will see, and suffering you will endure. But strengthened you will be, and allies, friends you will gain.
She relaxes her grip and steps away.
a long journey is your fate, young harrower. But that is for later. Come, have a short bread. You are far to skinny.
Dakash approaches the group of travelers convening around Mother Dismass, leaning on his staff and watching.
She comes every year, this woman. I have yet to speak with her, though many seem to gain insight from her readings. Still, I don't wish to intrude on these people, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
Dakash licks his lips at mention of short bread, ignoring the words the older woman spoke to the pretty younger one - There are too many beautiful people here. It is....distracting he flushes as he watches, still silent.
Cale smiles and takes her hand as he leads her through the crowd "not far, I left her over by some jugglers"
Scowling, Ruaidhrigh waddles along, still fuming I haven't walked this far in....months? Years? I can't remember. Stupid guards. He stops abruptly when he sees the wagon. Ooh, a fortune teller. I want my fortune told. He trots over that direction.
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Nixis nods. Thanks... she takes off her goggles, letting her eyes see the world unfiltered. She squints as she looks around. Cale... Have I told you about how my powers came to be? Not my tattoo magic, but the other magic, the automatic writing and the aura reading. Thing is, I'm not sure it came because of what my parents believe. They think it emerged from the act of my diligent study, and that it's a power driven from ritual... But I have observed something different... she shivers. Whenever I'm alone, whenever I'm not working I get this feeling I'm not alone, that someone else is there... And it scares Me...
Zeldana let's out a small gasp when the elder grabs her, though her grip upon the cards tightens. She listened to the woman's words, and could feel the truth ring within them. When she losened her grip Zeldana let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.
Though when the elder woman mentioned her getting a short bread because looked too thin she gave a small laugh as she followed the suggestion.
I'm not small... I'm just half elven... We're always thin. Though...
Zeldana's mind drifted off as she picked one of the short breads. The varisian blood of her father had helped fill her out a bit more as she grew into adulthood but even with that her mother's elven blood still left a mark by her ears and thinner frame. Though she quickly snapped back to the world around her when she notice Dakash. "Hello Dakash! Nice to see you around!" The half elven maid with a smile on her face.
Alek watches the fortune telling with good humor, enjoying the changing expressions on Zeldana's face. As it comes to an end he notices some people moving in their direction.
"Hmm, isn't that... Cale and Nixis I believe, and that is Dakash I think Zeldana said and over there Ruaidhrigh, I think it was. Is it coincidence, or fate, I wonder if the old lady could say."
Nixis nods. Thanks... she takes off her goggles, letting her eyes see the world unfiltered. She squints as she looks around. Cale... Have I told you about how my powers came to be? Not my tattoo magic, but the other magic, the automatic writing and the aura reading. Thing is, I'm not sure it came because of what my parents believe. They think it emerged from the act of my diligent study, and that it's a power driven from ritual... But I have observed something different... she shivers. Whenever I'm alone, whenever I'm not working I get this feeling I'm not alone, that someone else is there... And it scares Me...
He pauses when she talks and when she talks about the someone else being there and hugs her [b]"well, in that case, I'll make sure you never have to be alone, I'll protect you from whatever it is you're feeling."
Dakash feels his flushed face turn a darker red, looking down at the ground and shuffling his feet nervously. "H-h-hello, Zel. It's nice to see you, too." his voice trembles a bit as he speaks. After stammering his way through one clumsy sentence, the bald man closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and exhales slowly, regaining his composure. His hand squeezes the staff tighter, knuckles turning ghostly white as he opens his eyes again, calmer now. "How did the reading go? Did Old Dismass bring good tidings for your future?"
As Dakash speaks, his eyes wander from Zeldana to Alek, to Cale and Nixis, to the squat, uncomfortable-looking gnome, and back to Zel. Quite a crowd... he muses.
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Nixis smiles, Thanks Cale... But you might not be able to defend me from everything... she says. I know magic is only side thing for you, and you have your alchemy, but my mind isn't something you can easily protect. I have to teach myself how I work. I haven't had to use my other powers much... But I think it's for the best in the end...
Suddenly a bell tolls from the new Catherdral, a signal that the speeches are to begin. People start moving over to hear them, and the official start of the celebrations. There is a lot of laughter and conversation as the crowd moves. The cool morning has moved onto a pleasent day.
Mother Dismas says Ah, so it begins. Go young ones. My bones are a little sore today, so I shall wait here.
Actions?
"Regardless, I will be right here with you, every step of the way" suddenly the bell tolls and he releases her from the hug "we should probably head on quickly"
Alek tosses back the last of his ale.
"Well, let's have some fun."
He moves to join in with the flow of the crowd, looking back at the group clustered at the fortune tellers wagon.
Dakash motions with one hand at the bridge, looking at Cale, Nix, Rui and Zel. "We should follow Alek, and quickly. It's no fun in the back." He waits for someone to walk with him before leaving, and then departs with them, side-by-side.
Anjelica heads toward the cathedral, excited to witness the dedication of the facility. She catches up with Cael and his friends on the way. "Hello again! Won't this be a great day, eh? And it's a lovely day for an outdoor event... sunshine and blue skies! I think everyone in town will be there. Probably should have headed over early to get a good vantage point, but it is as it will be."
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Nixis nods to Cale and heads to the Church. She keeps her goggles off, knowing that she won't be able to use her reading ability for the rest of the day...
She stays close to her bodyguard and keeps a smile on her face. Cale... Your right. Sometimes I should just relax and forget my work, even if just for a day. she chuckled.
Zeldana smiled brightly as she waved to the elder woman and quickly joined the rest settling in between Alek and Dakash as they walked together in the group. "I wonder what they have planned this year." Zeldana said, mostly thinking out loud.
Cale. Smiles at his two female friends "sun is shining, birds are singing, flowers blooming... on days like these... what could go wrong?"
"Quickly, he says." The fire-haired gnome mumbles, rolling his eyes, before turning and waddling as quickly as he can manage after the big humans. Coming up behind Cale, he says "Don't ask that. This cathedral's gods may be nice, but some gods have crueler senses of humor."
"It's too nice a day to even contemplate ruining it... there will be no ancient horrors today! The gods will see to that, I'm sure."
Everyone gathers in front of the cathedral, and slowly quieten. Mayor Deverin raises a hand, and says
Welcome, Welcome all, locals and visitors.
And with that she starts to talk. Mayor Deverin's friendly attitude and excitement prove contagious as she welcomes visitors to town and jokes about how even Larz Rovanky, the local tanner (and notorious workaholic) managed to tear himself away from the tannery to attend, much to everyone's amusement (except Larz's).
Sheriff Belor Hemlock brings the crowd down a bit with his dour mood, his reminder to be safe around the evening's bonfire, and his request for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the fire that claimed the town's previous church several years ago.
The next speaker is scheduled to be local nobleman, Lonjiku Kaijitsu, but a sudden illness has prevented him from attending the ceremony (this isn't something that surprises the locals, given Lonjiku's well-known dislike of frivolity and festivals).
Sandpoint's own showman Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd's mood back up with his rousing anecdotes. He delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. He throws in a bit of self promotion at the end, as is his wont, inviting everyone to stop by the Sandpoint Theatre the following evening to check out his new production of "The Harpy's Curse," revealing that the lead role of Avis era the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian diva Allishanda! Finally, Father Zantus steps up to give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival underway.
At noon, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon's cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna-a furious storm of swallowtail butterflies that swarm into the air in a spiralling riot of colour to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterflies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint's taverns. Each brings its best dishes-this event is as much a marketing push by the taverns to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winter drop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish's lobster chowder or the White Deer's peppercorn venison.
Numerous games and contests take place during the day, including sack races, games of hide-and-seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam contests, tug-of-war events, and the like. The characters can join in or not to their likes.
Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium, uses a thunderstone to attract everyone's attention, and clears his throat as he prepares to recite the Prayer of First Dreaming.
He is about to speak when suddenly another noise could be heard. He looks about confused, and a sudden nervousness fills the square. A noise of moving feet, and then a racous song can be heard, sending a chill through your bones. Small figures appear around the square, dozens of them, with freshly lit torches and drawn blades. Everyone hears their song
Goblins chew and goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblinds bite.
Stab the dog and cut the horse.
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump.
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head.
Goblins here and you be dead!
Chase the baby, catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bone be cracked, flesh be stewed.
We be goblins, you be food!
Panic erupts and people start yeling and screaming, fleeing from the goblin horde. With laughter in their hearts and a song on their lips, the Goblins attack!
The town guard are caught scattered and buffeted by fleeing people, and for only small knots of resistance. Some fight, some run, all is chaos.
Everyone make either a strength roll, or a reflex save to resist/evade the mob. Then state your actions. Right now the goblins are breaking into small groups, shreiking in laughter or song.
options are moving to the Cathedral entrance, where most the leadership is, engage the closest goblins, help locals escape by bringing some order or other actions of your choice.
Anjie attempts to evade the fleeing throngs and avoid being pulled along with them...
....Then as she can make her way to help anyone struggling to flee or having a hard time keeping up or being overwhelmed by the crowd, etc, she will provide aid. She'll try to calm the fleeing people into a more orderly retreat so the weak or infirm or small (like children and halflings) who don't move so fast don't get left behind or knocked down by the more fleet or sturdy.
IF she sees a goblin threatening anyone in particular, she will jump in to aid, sending the threatened target away so she can deal with the goblin personally.
Zeldana let out a gasp when she noticed the mob, but she seemed the freeze in place upon noticing they where coming her way.
Though as quick as she's able, Zeldana in back in the game. She quickly pulls out The Paladin from her deck. The armor on the card seemed to glow blue before coming off and growing to fit the half-elf's body then vanish. She returned the card to the deck before looking to the others as if expecting them to ready for a fight.
Dakash springs into action at the sound of chanting, shifting his body to move through the crowd and brandishing his walking stick at the nearest goblins, charging to intercept/protect any civilians in danger of being attacked.
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Nixis shouts for Cale, not sure what happened in the sudden rush of panic... She touches her familiar tattoo, the small bird pealing from the skin on her neck into a full animal, it's appearance more like a tattoo even in it's real form. Fly... she whispers to the bird, who takes flight- Surveying the area. She pushes back against the crowd, and when she sees a goblin she waves her arms in Somatic fashion, then let's off a supersonic scream(Ear-piercing Scream) which only the goblin could hear.
+Daze(Fort Negates) DC:15
Cale follows Nixis and attacks a goblin, not casting spells just yet as he doesn't know if goblins are all that are there to fight here
subdual
Standing easily against the surging crowd Alek chants a few words in draconic and waves his hand nimbly as a sheaf of force covers him. Once he is protected he strides to block the nearest group of goblins.
Zeldana@ Make a DC15 reflex save or fall, you take 4 points subdual damage. You cannot act as yet.
Anjelica@ Make a diplomacy or intimidate roll, depending on how you motivate people.
Ruaidhrigh@ Make a DC15 reflex save or fall, you take 4 points subdual damage. You cannot act as yet.
Nixis@ Make a DC15 reflex save or fall, you take 4 points subdual damage. You cannot act as yet.
Cale@ you see nixis overwhealmed by the panicking crowd. You follow her and can give a str roll aid to her reflex roll to avoid falling.
Alek@ Concentration check needed to cast, DC16. You move to the nearest goblin group. Dakash precedes you.
Dakash@ you move to the nearest group of goblins. You notice Alek following you.
Battered by the crowd, Ruaidhrigh is knocked to the ground. Picking himself up quickly, he takes stock of the situation, and moves toward the nearest group of goblins, screaming insults in their own chittering tongue.
Dakash you emerge from behind a group of townsfolk to see three goblinstaking down a pair of town guards, laughing gleefully. One has what looks like a flask in one of his hands, the other goblins have torches and Nasty looking blades.
You get a suprise attack on one of them, with a +2 bonus to hit.
Alek you end up beside Dakash. no attacks yet.
Ruaidhrigh, Know roll result. Goblins are a savage nuisance in large groups and an annoying one in small. They hate gnomes somewhat more intensely than other creatures, and they love fire. A lot.
Ok, I have set the scene with round one, which in narrative form.
Round two will be standard. I'll be determining initiative shortly.
initiative
Sorted
Anjelica
Dakash
Zeldana
Goblins
Cale
alek
Ruaidhrigh
Nixis